Health and Safety Engineers
O*NET title: Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Also called: Health and Safety Engineers
Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
Also called: Chemical Detection Expert, EHS Intern (Environmental Health and Safety Intern), Engineer, Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator (EHS Coordinator), Environmental Health and Safety Engineer (EHS Engineer), Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Median pay
$115,160
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$68,420 – $171,250
People employed
21,450
Holland code
IRC
Investigative · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Health and Safety Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (45 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What health and safety engineers do
- 01Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.
- 02Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
- 03Evaluate product designs for safety.
- 04Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.
- 05Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.
- 06Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from health and safety engineers
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists86% · −22%
- Quality Control Systems Managers78% · group pay
- Water Resource Specialists77% · group pay
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health77% · −29%
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors76% · group pay
Change into health and safety engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists93% · $90,150
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians91% · $61,560
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors85% · $80,730
- Security Management Specialists83% · $83,050
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health82% · $82,220
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Engineering, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.